This morning I was reading another chapter of Think and Grow Rich. I’m working through the chapter about the quality of persistence, and its role in success. I was reminded of how important persistence is to the woman (or man) who must figure out how to get well enough to work, and how to work smart enough to stay well.
On those days when you are feeling less than optimistic, the stories of others who have won can carry the day. Today, I went in search of inspiring stories of people who persisted. I came across a site with story after story of men and women who have prevailed, www.humanhealing.com.
Helen’s story, a young woman of 29 with Dystonia, as told by her mother, Jaye Lewis: If you Can Dream It… “By the time Helen was twenty, it was obvious that something was terribly wrong. She could not write, yet she kept going. She would contort her hand, just to sign her name. Her voice became faint, and she could not pronounce certain letters, but nothing could stop her sense of humor, or her courageous journey towards excellence.”
Read this story about a young woman, who at 30 years old was told she was dying, an unstoppable woman. “In 1984, Marion Luna Brem …was dying. …on a hot Texas morning in May, Marion laid with her cheek on the cold bathroom floor trying not to throw up-again. And despite her gut-wrenching pain and paralyzing fear, she knew she could not afford to lie there feeling sorry for herself. From Cynthia Kersey’s new book, Unstoppable Women: Achieve any Breakthrough Goal in Just 30 Day.
The women who were kind enough to share their stories with Rosalind and me in Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease, most definitely demonstrated the quality of persistence.
Terri is a musician with high aspirations for a songwriting and performing career. In the face of a difficult marriage, 2 teenage sons and an 18-month bout with endometriosis, she was derailed from pursuing her dreams. For months she could not get out of bed for more than an hour or two at a time. She came to one of my workshops about a week after she finally had the strength to start to rebuild her life. (I did not know this at the time.)
Terri hadn’t lost touch with her dream and was worried she would have to go back to work at some boring job that would stifle her spirit and hinder healing. I told her she didn’t have to. I believed she could find a way to earn a living utilizing her talents so she could sever her financial ties with her (now ex) husband and continue to take care of her health. She did, with flying colors. All she needed was a little encouragement to get started.
I know if you’re reading this blog, persistence is part of your nature. You may not always feel like persisting every moment of every day. That’s not where you look. It’s your will to get up again, to continue to work on the puzzle that tells me your chances are very good, very good indeed.
Joan
I just found your site. Color me inspired! I developed RA at age 20 and now almost 20 years and three children later I am some days coping, other days merely surviving and some days soaring. My husband and I started our own business eleven years ago, which in retrospect I realize is the only way I have been able to have a children and “a life.”
Thank you!
Angela
Angela, welcome! Thanks for your post, and for sharing your story. Congratulations on finding a way work that works for you, and for your family – even if accidentally. I just checked out your blog. When I learn how to trackback I will do it. In the meantime, for readers here, I’ll write out the link to Never a Dull Moment, http://mom2girlsgirlsgirls.blogspot.com/.
Joan